Updates

Paddle Raise and Smart Bid Paddles: Raising Paddles to Boost Your Fundraising Event

Paddle Raise and Smart Bid Paddles: Raising Paddles to Boost Your Fundraising Event

Boost your fundraising events with a paddle raise, a live fundraising event tool you won't want to miss out on

Experience a power boost for your fundraising activities by incorporating a paddle raise into your next charity fundraiser—even better, consider using PayBee's smart bid paddles to take your paddle raise to even higher heights! Our dynamic live-event solution seamlessly brings together mobile giving, live auctions, and paddle raises to enhance the effectiveness of your fundraising efforts: providing an enhanced experience so your live fundraising event can flourish, and zealous contributors who are passionate about your cause will be thrilled to continue raising their paddles and thus champion your cause. 

What is a Paddle Raise?

A paddle raise is a simple yet highly effective way to raise money for any given cause. During your live fundraiser event, attendees are provided with paddles that are each assigned a number. Unlike traditional live auctions that focus on item bidding, there's no need to attach an item to paddle raises for donation purposes. Instead, smaller units—such as $25 or $50—are used to encourage additional participation and more robust donations. Your organization establishes various donation levels, and as each one is announced, attendees raise their paddles to indicate their willingness to contribute at each one. Feel free to enlist professional auctioneers to maintain a vibrant atmosphere and encourage active participation, and watch your fundraising efforts soar to new heights as the paddles rise.

Seamless Integration of Mobile Giving and Bid Paddle Pledges

What sets a paddle raise apart from other event fundraisers? A seamless integration with mobile giving, as attendees can conveniently designate their paddle numbers when making donations via their cell phones: simplifying the donation process. Not only that, but mobile giving eliminates the need for checks or cash and thus embraces the future of fundraising technology. Your event fundraiser will stay ahead of the curve as you look to utilize this innovative feature.

Elevate Excitement with Live Auctions

If you're still looking to incorporate live auctions into your fundraising event, a paddle raise has you covered. Our live auction experience is simply unparalleled: generating excitement, driving donations, and boosting your fund pot. Donors eagerly bid on carefully curated items while simultaneously raising their paddles, with every raised paddle fueling your fundraising efforts and making your event that much more successful. 

Custom Paddles for a Personal Touch

Keeping in mind the importance of the paddles themselves, our customizable paddles allow you to weave your organization's logo or other branding elements into the fabric of your event. This personal touch enhances the paddle-raising experience and creates a more cohesive event atmosphere, while using the same paddles year after year establishes a sense of tradition and familiarity among your attendees.

Achieve Fundraising Success with a Paddle Raise

The success of your event fundraiser ultimately hinges on the funds raised. Thankfully, the paddle raise method is a proven fundraising technique that motivates attendees to actively join in on the excitement and wholeheartedly support your cause by raising their paddles. With the added benefits of mobile giving, live auctions, and custom paddles, a paddle raise is the ideal approach for your live event.

Excited to start planning your next fundraiser? Take advantage of our paddle raise feature to encourage generous donations as attendees get those paddles in the air. It's truly an excellent live event solution that can help boost donations, engagement, and overall success for your organization, so get ready to make a significant impact. Let's raise those paddles!

Understanding the Core Number Concept 

core number is a set amount you want your donors to give each and every time they raise their donation paddles, and assigning a number can encourage them to give more than they might have originally considered. Providing your donors with different levels of generosity can cause a ripple effect among the crowd and raise even more funds for your cause in the name of healthy competition.

Designing Eye-Catching Paddles

When designing paddles for your event, you'll want to make them aesthetically pleasing and unique. A creative and eye-catching design can motivate donors to raise them in the air with pride and keep guests fully invested in the auction. Remember, your fundraising event's ultimate goal is to raise as many paddles as possible; a beautifully designed paddle is an essential piece of this puzzle.

Setting Balanced Core Numbers

It's important to strike the right balance when setting core numbers for any fundraiser. While the number should be high enough to raise a significant amount of money, it should not be so high that it discourages people from donating. A great approach is to consider the average income of likely attendees.

Incorporating Multiple Donation Levels

In addition to core numbers, it's also a good idea to offer multiple donation levels: allowing people to donate any amount they feel comfortable with while ensuring attendees feel valued. For example, a fundraiser might offer core numbers of $25, $50, and $100.

Providing Donation Milestone Incentives

Another way to encourage donations is to provide incentives for reaching specific milestones (e.g., offering a prize to the person who donates the most money or a raffle ticket for every $25 donation).

By implementing core number paddle strategies, you can guide your guests while creating a lively and exciting atmosphere and consistently boosting the collection fund: launching a successful fundraiser that raises a large sum of money for your cause. 

Incorporating Donation Buttons for a Seamless Paddle Drop Experience 

Integrating donation buttons within the paddle drop experience is crucial to help ensure a seamless and enjoyable process for online donors, paving the way for online donation convenience while increasing funds raised.

Providing Multiple Donation Request Options 

Offering multiple donation request options (e.g., the choice to donate via cash, check, credit card, or online payment) allows people to donate in a convenient way while also helping to ensure all parties feel comfortable throughout the process.

How Donation Buttons Work

At the onset of any event, donors will receive a numbered or color-coded paddle corresponding to their pre-selected giving level. When the paddle drop moment arrives, donors must donate expeditiously by pressing the button linked to their desired amount and then raising their paddles. Seamlessly incorporating predetermined giving levels into live auctions is highly recommended to enhance the overall experience.

Tracking Progress and Fostering Camaraderie 

Donation buttons facilitate progress-tracking and donation management throughout the fundraising event. For example, real-time total donation displays and giving level breakdowns showcased on screens around the venue promote transparency and encourage friendly competition among donors: fostering a sense of camaraderie as donors see firsthand the collective impact of their contributions alongside those of their peers.

Utilizing Donation Buttons Beyond the Paddle Drop 

Donation buttons can rise to the occasion as supplemental (and valuable!) fundraising tools throughout your event: going beyond the paddle drop process as a way for donors to continue making contributions even after the live auction excitement has subsided and without the pressure of a bidding war. These buttons can also be pre-installed on items won during silent auctions, streamlining the process for winning bidders to make their final donations.

Maximizing Fundraising Potential with Effective Strategies 

To maximize fundraising success, it's important to use effective donation strategies and take advantage of donation buttons. Proven techniques—such as number paddles that encourage friendly competition among donors and make donating easy—can greatly improve your chances of achieving your fundraising goals while also helping donors feel more connected to your cause, providing a smooth experience that leaves a positive impression and encourages future support.

Incorporate Donation Buttons and Elevate Your Fundraising Events

As you've probably guessed by now, incorporating donation buttons into your fundraising events via paddle raises, live auctions, or silent auctions is often a complete game-changer. By simplifying the donation process and offering multiple giving levels, you can create a seamless paddle drop experience that leaves donors satisfied and proud of their contributions—so don't hesitate to make donation buttons an integral part of your next fundraising event as you prepare to witness a corresponding influx of donations!

Setting Fundraising Goals and Sparking Donor Engagement 

Setting clear fundraising goals is essential for event success, providing a sense of direction and purpose while allowing you to measure progress and inspire generous contributions.

Creating a Compelling Fundraising Narrative 

Spark donor engagement by creating a compelling narrative and buzz around your cause, thus igniting the passion and motivation necessary to support your fundraising efforts.

Share impactful testimonials and success stories while emphasizing the positive change donor contributions can make. Inspire donors to rally behind your cause and make a meaningful difference by vividly showing the corresponding impact.

Inspiring Donor Engagement 

Engaging your donors goes beyond simply requesting their financial support; it involves building relationships and providing opportunities for them to actively participate in your fundraising efforts. Create interactive experiences— such as contests, challenges, or virtual events—that encourage donors to get involved and spread the word. You can also foster a sense of community by recognizing/celebrating their contributions and providing updates on fundraising goal progress. Donors who feel valued and connected will likely grow into long-term supporters and ambassadors for your cause.

Goal-Setting for Fundraising Success 

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals is crucial for fundraising success. Determine the amount of money you want to raise and break this number down into smaller milestones: communicating these goals to your donors and keeping them informed about progress. Celebrate each milestone achieved, using this as an opportunity to foster continued support and momentum. Clear goals provide your donors with a sense of purpose and urgency while inspiring them to help you reach your targets.

Key Takeaway: Ignite Your Fundraising Event with Purpose and Engagement

In conclusion, a paddle raise is a powerful fundraising technique that can help you raise additional money for your cause. Smaller units encourage participation and spark a sense of competition among your guests, and you can also utilize mobile giving and donation buttons to seamlessly integrate online donations. Moreover, multiple giving levels can accommodate the financial limits of everyone in attendance.

A paddle raise is also a great way to create a lively and exciting atmosphere at your event. With the help of professional auctioneers, you can guide your guests through the paddle raise process while showing them how easy it is to donate; and when the paddles rise, you'll know your fundraising efforts are successful.

Here are some additional tips for using a paddle raise to boost your fundraising:

  • Set clear goals and objectives. What do you hope to achieve when each paddle goes up? In knowing your goals, you can create a plan to achieve them.
  • Choose the right location. You'll need a space large enough to accommodate your guests that also has a clear view of the stage.
  • Promote your event. Announce your paddle raise and encourage your target audience to attend, promoting your event through social media, email marketing, and word-of-mouth strategies.
  • Provide incentives. You can offer incentives—such as raffle tickets, prizes, or even a sense of accomplishment—to encourage people to donate.
  • Thank your donors. Be sure to thank your donors for their support. A personal thank-you note or email is a great way to show your appreciation for their decision to raise a paddle in the name of your cause.

Handy raise tip: Want to encourage even more people to donate? Offer a small incentive, such as a raffle ticket or free gift, to the first 100 people who raise their paddles: creating a sense of urgency and excitement that will spark additional donations.

A paddle raise is a powerful fundraising technique to help raise more money for your cause.

If you follow these tips, you too can use a paddle raise to boost your fundraising efforts and make a difference in the world.

Start Fundraising

I am a...

Looking for...

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Tags
Nonprofit Fundraising
Fundraising
Paybee

Paybee is the leader in nonprofit fundraising events with tools for virtual, hybrid and in-person events.

Latest Articles

Updates

Donations for Websites: Accepting Donations on Your Nonprofit Donation Website

Read Article

Explore how to maximize online donations for websites for your nonprofit with our in-depth guide on setting up a donation website. Learn why 63% of donors prefer online contributions and how you can tap into this preference by creating effective, secure donation pages. From choosing the right platform like PayBee to integrating payment systems and engaging donors via social media and email marketing, we cover all the essentials to enhance your fundraising efforts and build lasting relationships with donors. Discover practical tips and the benefits of using specialized nonprofit platforms alongside your website to ensure compliance and maximize donations.

Updates

Case Management Software for Nonprofits

Read Article

Is your organization using software solutions for case management? If not, you’re leaving donation revenue on the table. This comprehensive guide to choosing the right case management software for nonprofits gives you everything you need to select and execute the best case management software for nonprofits.

Updates

Major Donor Fundraising - Tools and Strategies for Major Donors

Read Article

Discover how to effectively engage and retain major donor fundraising in your nonprofit's fundraising efforts. This comprehensive guide covers the strategic use of data, personalized communication, and innovative tools to build lasting relationships with key supporters. Learn the art and science of major donor fundraising, including identifying potential donors, developing engagement plans, and leveraging technology to enhance donor experiences. Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or new to the field, gain valuable insights to transform your approach and significantly impact your organization's future.